Hardik Pandya's stepbrother arrested for cheating cricketer of Rs 4.3 crore

The brothers were in a partnership with Vaibhav Pandya since 2021.

Indian cricketers Hardik Pandya and Krunal Pandya’s stepbrother Vaibhav Pandya has been arrested by the Mumbai Police for allegedly duping them of over Rs 4 crore. As per a report in Times of India, Vaibhav Pandya allegedly diverted Rs 4.3 crore from their partnership firm, causing a heavy loss to the cricketers.

According to Times of India, Vaibhav has been charged with cheating and forgery, officers of the Economic Offenses Wing (EOW) of Mumbai Police said. The brothers decided to set up a business in 2021 and as per the agreement, Hardikand Krunal each had a 40 percent share while Vaibhav had a 20 percent share in the profits.

As per the report, instead of sharing the profits, Vaibhav formed a separate company and diverted the funds from the partnership into his firm. It was Hardik who filed a complaint against the 37-year-old.

Meanwhile, amidst a wave of criticism that surrounded Hardik Pandya after he replaced Rohit Sharma as the captain of Mumbai Indians, the cricketer a special puja at his home. In a video that went viral online, the skipper was seen singing the “Hare Ram Hare Krishna” bhajan with Krunal at their home.

Critics and fans alike have been expressing their disappointment over Pandya becoming captain of the IPL team. Hardik was heavily trolled online and the backlash also followed him into stadiums. Cricket enthusiasts also slammed him for his leadership and performance as captain of the franchise.

Hardik Pandya was also seen offering prayers at the Somnath Temple in Gujaratrecently. He was seen doing puja and went for some quiet time, away from media and attention.